Topic: Judging the height and size of clouds

[Gambit]

Hi All,

I've read in a few posts that people quote the heights of clouds and was wondering how you judge or approximate the height of clouds?

The only way that I can think of to judge height, is by the type of cloud it is and simply knowing the levels that they exist at.

but as for size I have no idea, how to look at a storm front for wall cloud and say "Oh yeah, that's 1.5 Kms wide!"

Any advice is welcomed.


Cheers

Mat.

[Michael Bath]

Hi Mat,

This is something that comes through experience in watching the sky and clouds over many years though it will always be inexact. Knowing distances between you and hills or mountains can help you to judge how far away storm clouds are, and also how tall they might be.

You can also use the soundings to provide an estimate of where the tropopause is and subsequently what height anvils will be - though powerful storms will punch through this somewhat. The soundings can also be used to estimate other cloud heights, and what level the bases will be.

Eg: If there is an inversion at 4,500 metres, you might see cumulus congestus bubbling up and looking promising, but not getting past that height due to the warm layer preventing deeper convection.

MB

[Richary]

I remember flying to Bangkok in 1992, at about 11000 metres. The storm we skirted over the Gulf of Siam at night was a lot higher than the plane. And down below I could see the lights of a (fishing?) boat about to get creamed. Pretty spectacular display it was too.

[Shaun Galman]

Hi guys,
This has somewhat puzzled me also? The storms I have seen have been fairly random in structure and heights, it would be great if a small measuring device was created, maybe a laser that could be bounced from the cloud base somehow? (similar to the ones used in the construction trade to mark footings ect.) It would make life alot easier!

Cheers.
Shauno

[Jimmy Deguara]

Although not directly related, the observation weather techniques I wrote discusses the techniques used by chasers to judge cloud movements and distance in general - these skills then enhance the concept of judging cloud heights.

http://www.australiasevereweather.com/techniques/index.html

Regards,

Jimmy Deguara